JP2003522303A - Bleaching using enzymes of natural non-cotton cellulosic fibers - Google Patents

Abstract

  (57) [Summary] Contacting said non-cotton cellulosic fiber, yarn or fabric with a hemicellulase enzyme under conditions and for a time suitable to cause whitening of said non-cotton cellulosic fiber, yarn or fabric; Or a method for bleaching a fabric is provided.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001] Background of the Invention 1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a method for bleaching naturally non-cotton cellulosic based fabrics using enzymes. More specifically, the present invention relates to xylan hydrolytic activity (xyla).
It relates to a method for bleaching linen, flax, jute, ramie and similar fabrics with an enzyme having non-lytic activity. 2. State of the Technology The treatment of cellulosic fabrics with enzymes has achieved great success in the industry. In particular, in the cotton textile industry, especially in the denim industry, cellulase enzymes are employed instead of chemical treatment in textile processing processes such as stonewashing, biopolishing and depilling. Amylase enzyme is also used as a desizing agent. The oxidoreductase enzyme is used in the textile industry for bleaching and dye transfer reduction.
The use is proposed for the purpose.

Enzymes have also been employed in the cleaning industry as useful agents for laundering soiled fabrics and clothes, and this technique involves the widespread use of proteases, cellulases and amylases in detergent formulations. For example, proteases useful in removing protein-based stains from fabrics have been described in the literature. Also, cellulases, amylases, cutinases, lipases, peroxidases, oxidases and xylases (in WO98 / 39402) are used in laundry detergents to remove stains on the fabric to be washed and to create other desirable attributes. It has been shown to be used.

Xylans is a complex heteropolymer consisting primarily of xylose and arabinose. Soil plant xylan β-1,4-bound-
Constituted by a D-xylopyranosyl backbone, which is an acetyl residue; and
It may be substituted with a residue of arabinose and methylglucuronic acid. Xylan is the second most abundant carbohydrate in biomass after cellulose. Numerous enzymes are required for the complete hydrolysis of xylan, of which hemicellulase is the most widely known.

For example, in the pulp and paper industry, hemicellulases are used in pulp bleaching to either reduce the drug dosage in subsequent bleaching or to increase the whiteness of the pulp. Kantelinen et al. , Inter
national Bleaching Conference, TAPPI
Proceedings, 1-5 (1988); Vikari et al.
, Paper and Timer 7: 384-389 (1991)]. Such use has further been shown to be free of cellulolytic activity that damages cellulosic fibers. Such use in the pulp and paper industry is further described in PCT Publication Pamphlet Nos. WO89 / 08738; WO91 /
02791; and WO 91/05908. Hemicellulases are also used in the conversion of biomass to fuel [Viikari et al. , "He
micellurases for Industrial Applicat
ions ”, Bioconversion of Forest and Ag
critical waters, Saddler, J. et al. ed. , CAB
International, USA (1993)]; and additives to feed.

As is known, extensive research has been done in the area of textiles and carbohydrate-xylan chemistry. However, the textile industry continues to seek improved methods of treating cellulosic fabrics with environmentally friendly compositions that provide added value to these fabrics. Among other things, to produce improved products, the art has long felt a need to develop more efficient and cleaner methods of treating non-cotton natural cellulosic textile yarns and fabrics.

[0006] An object of the present invention is a non-cotton cellulosic fibers, yarns and / or fabric; to provide and so the method of enzyme used for bleaching textiles produced.

Yet another object of the present invention is to bleach non-cotton cellulosic fibers, yarns and / or fabrics, which does not involve the use of environmentally hazardous and undesirable chemicals; and an alternative method of bleaching textiles produced therewith. Is to provide.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a simple and efficient method for whitening flax, linen, jute and / or columbine that is compatible with industry standard wet processing practices.

According to the invention, by contacting said non-cotton cellulosic fiber, yarn or fabric with a hemicellulase enzyme under conditions and for a time suitable for producing whitening of said non-cotton cellulosic fiber, yarn or fabric. , A method of bleaching said non-cotton cellulosic fibers, yarns or fabrics is provided. Preferably the hemicellulase enzyme is a xylanase or a mannanase; most preferably a xylanase. In a particularly preferred method according to the invention, the fiber, yarn or fabric comprises flax, jute, ramie or linen.

In a process embodiment of the present invention, the bleaching step of the present invention occurs prior to textile production. In another process embodiment of the present invention, the bleaching step of the present invention occurs on a clean, uncontaminated textile product.

In the process embodiments of the present invention, the bleached fibers, yarns or fabrics described herein are subsequently processed into a complete textile product. Another of the present invention
In one process embodiment, the fiber, yarn or fabric is treated with hemicellulase in a continuous process or hemicellulase in a batch process.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, hemicellulase enzyme is applied to said non-cotton cellulosic fiber, yarn or fabric under conditions and for a time suitable for producing whitening of said non-cotton cellulosic fiber, yarn or fabric. A method of bleaching said non-cotton cellulosic fiber, yarn or fabric is provided by contacting with. Preferably the hemicellulase enzyme is xylanase or mannanase; most preferably xylanase. In a particularly preferred method according to the invention, the fiber, yarn or fabric comprises flax, jute, ramie or linen.

In the process embodiment of the present invention, the bleaching step of the present invention occurs prior to textile production. In another process embodiment of the present invention, the bleaching step of the present invention occurs on a clean, uncontaminated textile product.

In the process embodiments of the present invention, the bleached fibers, yarns or fabrics shown herein are subsequently processed into a complete textile product. Another of the present invention
In one process embodiment, the fiber, yarn or fabric is treated with hemicellulase in a continuous process or hemicellulase in a batch process.

As used herein, “hemicellulase” refers to hemicellulose degradation and / or
Or an enzyme that catalyzes a modification, such as xylanase, mannanase,
Examples include xylosidase, mannosidase, glucosidase, arabinosidase, guluronidase and galactosidase. In a particularly preferred embodiment, hemicellulase is a xylanase which is understood to mean any xylan degrading enzyme, whether produced naturally or recombinantly. Generally, xylan-degrading enzymes are endo- or exo- which hydrolyze xylan.
And exo-xylanase, for example endo-1,3? Xylosidase, endo-β-1,4-xylanase (1,4-β-xylan xylanohydrolase; EC 3.2.1.8), 1,3-? -D-xylan xylohydrase and β-1,4 xylosidase (1,4-β-xylan xylohydrolase; EC 3.2.1.37) (EC Nos. 3.2.1.32; 3.2.1) ．
72; 3,2,1.8; 3.2.1.37). Preferred xylanases are xylanases derived from filamentous fungal or bacterial sources; for example, Generala Aspergillus; Disportrichum; Penicillium.
m); Humicola; Neurospora; Fusarium; Fungal Sources of Trichoderma and Glycodium; or Bacterial Bacillus (Bac)
illus); thermotoga; Streptomyces (
Streptomyces; Microtetraspora
ora); Actin Madura (Actinmadura); Thermomonospora (
Thermomonospora); Actinomyctes (Actinomyct)
es) and bacterial sources of Cephalosporum.

The enzyme is a xylanase enzyme designed to have useful specific properties, such as stability, activity or binding capacity, or is an induced evolution with little or no activity initially. The enzyme may be modified using the principle of and a protein design that yields an enzyme with significant xylanase activity.

As used herein, “bleaching” means the process of treating fibers, fabrics and / or yarns to produce a lighter color in the fibers, fabrics or yarns.
For example, bleaching, as used herein, refers to the whitening of fabrics by removing, modifying or masking the color that produces compounds in cellulosic fibers.

By “non-cotton cellulosic fibers, yarns or fabrics” is meant fibers, yarns or fabrics composed primarily of compositions of cellulosic substrates other than cotton. Examples of such compositions include linen, ramie, jute, flax; and similar compositions derived from non-cotton cellulosic materials.

In one embodiment, bleaching according to the present invention involves the addition of an effective amount of hemicellulase; or an aqueous solution of hemicellulase in combination with, for example, a buffer or any other component such as a detergent. Including the step of preparing. An effective amount of hemicellulase enzyme composition is a concentration of hemicellulase enzyme sufficient for its intended purpose. Thus, for example, an "effective amount" of hemicellulase in a composition intended to produce bleaching over a series of washes of the present invention will be
An amount that produces an effect of improving the color properties of non-cotton cellulose containing textile articles as compared to similar hemicellulase-free methods. The amount of hemicellulase used also depends on the equipment used; the process parameters used, such as the temperature of the hemicellulase bleaching solution, the exposure time to the hemicellulase solution and the hemicellulase activity (eg, activity If a more active hemicellulase composition is used as compared to a lower hemicellulase composition, the solution will require a lower concentration of hemicellulase.) The exact concentration of hemicellulase in the bleached aqueous solution will be readily determined by one of ordinary skill in the art based on the above factors and the desired result.

In one bleaching embodiment, the buffer is added to the treatment composition such that the concentration of the buffer is sufficient to maintain the pH of the solution within the range where the hemicellulase used exhibits the desired activity. Can be used. The pH at which hemicellulase is active depends on the nature of the hemicellulase used. The exact concentration of buffer used will depend on several factors which will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. For example, in a preferred embodiment, the buffer and buffer concentration are selected to maintain the pH of the final hemicellulase solution within the pH range required for optimal hemicellulase activity. The determination of the optimum pH range of the hemicellulase of the present invention can be confirmed by well-known techniques. Suitable buffers within the hemicellulase activity range are also well known to those of skill in the art.

In addition to the hemicellulase and the buffer, the treatment composition may contain a surfactant, ie a cationic, nonionic or anionic surfactant. Suitable surfactants include any surfactant compatible with the hemicellulase used and the fabric, such as anionic, nonionic and amphoteric surfactants.
Suitable anionic surfactants include linear or branched alkyl benzene sulphonates; alkyl or alkenyl ether sulphates with linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl groups; alkyl or alkenyl sulphates; olefin sulphonates; alkane sulphonates and the like, It is not limited to these. Suitable counterions for anionic surfactants include:
Alkali metal ions such as sodium and potassium; alkaline earth metal ions such as calcium and magnesium; ammonium ions; and
Examples thereof include, but are not limited to, alkanolamines having a 1-3 alkanol group having 2 or 3 carbon atoms. As the amphoteric surfactant, for example,
Quaternary ammonium salt sulfonates; and betaine-type amphoteric surfactants. Such amphoteric surfactants have both positively and negatively charged groups within the same molecule. Nonionic surfactants generally include polyoxyalkylene ethers; and higher fatty acid alkanolamides or their alkylene oxide adducts and fatty acid glycerine monoesters. Mixtures of surfactants can also be used as is well known in the art.

In some embodiments, it may be desirable to adjust the parameters discussed above for the purpose of controlling enzymatic degradation. For example, the pH can be adjusted at some point to abolish the activity of hemicellulase and prevent undesired excess degradation. Alternatively, methods that are recognized in other fields to eliminate the activity of the enzyme, such as chemical treatment, protease treatment and / or
Alternatively, heat bleaching can be carried out.

The following examples further explain the present invention as described above, and do not limit the present invention in any way. Example A. Techniques used to determine individual activity: Azo-Birchwood Xylanase Assay BCA Protein Assay RBB Azo-CM-Cellulose Assay Electrophoresis Densitometry-Test Method: Materials: a. 1. Fabrics: -Testfabrics, Inc. Oyster natural linen cloth (L
-51) (Lot # 699-8) a. 2. Reagents: -50 mM acetate buffer, pH 4.5-50 mM phosphate buffer, pH 7.0 Enzymes: -T. GC140 from R. reesei, xylanase enzyme under development-xylanase 52617-fungal origin in tissue-GC260 from Bacillus pumulis
, Xylanase-xylanase 720 under development for wheat starch separation, bacterial xylanase-xylanase from Bacillus subtilis 990391-application method: (1) The tergotometer was set to the following parameters. : 40 ° C., 90 rpm stirring speed, 60 minutes washing speed.

(2) The water bath of the tergometer was set to be heated to 40 ° C., and then an appropriate amount of distilled water was added to make the total volume of the cleaning liquid 1 liter. (3) To obtain a final concentration of 50 mM buffer (1 liter total volume), 0.
2M phosphate buffer, pH 7.0 or 0.2M acetate buffer, p
The pH was checked by adding 250 mL of H4.5.

(4) An appropriate amount of enzyme was added and the pH of the washing solution was checked. (5) Four Oyster Linnell sample pieces were added per pot and the timer was set to wash for 60 minutes.

(6) After 30 minutes and 60 minutes, the pH of the washing solution was checked. (7) After 60 minutes, pieces from each pot were rinsed in a mesh bag in the washing machine under the following conditions: rinse cycle, cooling temperature, low water level and regular speed.

(8) Using a steam press, dry the pieces for 10-15 seconds at medium heating level. (9) Small pieces of CIELAB L *, a *, b * values were obtained using a HunterLab Mini scanning spectrocolorimeter. (For comparison, the L ★, a ★, and b ★ values of the small pieces were read before washing.)

[0028]

[Table 1]

Both xylanase enzymes showed a clear bleaching effect on the raw natural linen fabric. The raw linen sample pieces were off-white before washing, but became white after 60 minutes of washing, one cycle with pH 7.0 and 40 ° C xylase. Both xylases showed a decrease in b * color scale values for the original linen swatch strips after treatment with these enzymes for 60 minutes at 40 ° C. and pH 7.0 wash conditions.

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (81) Designated countries EP (AT, BE, CH, CY, DE, DK, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, IE, I T, LU, MC, NL, PT, SE, TR), OA (BF , BJ, CF, CG, CI, CM, GA, GN, GW, ML, MR, NE, SN, TD, TG), AP (GH, G M, KE, LS, MW, MZ, SD, SL, SZ, TZ , UG, ZW), EA (AM, AZ, BY, KG, KZ, MD, RU, TJ, TM), AE, AL, AM, AT, AZ, BA, BB, BG, BR, BY, CA, CH, C N, CR, CU, CZ, DE, DK, DM, EE, ES , FI, GB, GD, GE, GH, GM, HR, HU, ID, IL, IN, IS, JP, KE, KG, KP, K R, KZ, LC, LK, LR, LS, LT, LU, LV , MA, MD, MG, MK, MN, MW, MX, NO, NZ, PL, PT, RO, RU, SD, SE, SG, S I, SK, SL, TJ, TM, TR, TT, TZ, UA , UG, UZ, VN, YU, ZA, ZW (72) Inventor Power, Scott Dee             California 94066, USA             San Francisco, Poplar Avenue             ー 524 (72) Inventor Winnetsky, Deborah S.             94404, California, United States             Foster City, Shell Boulevard             Do 1057, number 7 (72) Inventor Victoria, Doreen             California 94132,             Buckingham Way, San Francisco               325, number 305

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A non-cotton cellulosic fiber, yarn or fabric by contacting the non-cotton cellulosic fiber, yarn or fabric with a hemicellulase enzyme under conditions and for a time suitable to produce whitening of the non-cotton cellulosic fiber, yarn or fabric. A method of bleaching cellulosic fibers, yarns or fabrics. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the hemicellulase enzyme is xylanase or mannanase. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the hemicellulase is xylanase. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the fiber, yarn or fabric comprises flax, jute, ramie or linen. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the bleaching occurs prior to manufacturing the textile product. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the bleaching occurs on a clean, clean textile product. 7. The method of claim 5, wherein the fibers, yarns or fabrics are subsequently processed into a complete textile product. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the fiber, yarn or fabric is treated with hemicellulase in a continuous process. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the fiber, yarn or fabric is treated with hemicellulase in a batch process. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the fiber, yarn or fabric is treated with cellulase, protease, amylase, lipase, oxidoreductase or esterase before, simultaneously with or after the hemicellulase bleaching.